The agency says the increase in January came from higher construction intentions in the residential sector, which more than offset a decline in the non-residential sector.

Gains were posted in every province in January, except Quebec, with Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario reporting the largest increases. After two consecutive monthly decreases, construction intentions for residential dwellings rose 26.3 per cent to $4.6 billion, with gains in all provinces.

In the non-residential sector, the value of permits fell 14.6 per cent to $2.4 billion, following a 5.4 per cent increase in December.

Decreases in Quebec and, to a much lesser extent, New Brunswick offset gains posted in the other provinces.